Tampa, Fla. – (July 21, 2006) – The Hillsborough County School Board is reminding parents to keep in mind changes to the student dress code as they purchase school clothing during the state sales tax holiday July 22 through 30.

The most significant change affects students in kindergarten through fifth grade, conforming certain parts of the policy to sixth through 12th grade requirements. In addition to clarifying that elementary students must wear shoes suitable for outdoor physical education classes, the policy states:

Clothing that exposes the entire shoulder, tube tops, spaghetti straps, or similar type clothing, may be worn only with a blouse or shirt. Clothing exposing the torso or the midriff, either front, back or sides, shall not be worn [see link to photo example, right]. Underwear shall not be visible. Clothing shall not expose the mid-chest area.

The policy for sixth through 12th grade students was changed to allow flip flops and prohibit bedroom slippers. Other changes affect both elementary and secondary students.

Specifically, language was added to allow students in all grades to wear head coverings for religious observance or health-related reasons, while still prohibiting hats and other items that cover their heads for any other reason while in school buildings. Another addition prohibits students from wearing clothing that exposes the mid-chest area. Other changes include revising the guideline for determining whether a hemline is too high to “fingertip length” from “mid-thigh”[see link to photo example, right], and prohibiting garments and/or jewelry that display “weapons, or alcohol-related” wording or graphics [see link to photo example, right].

Consequences for violating the dress code policy have also been amended. For all offenses there will now be a conference with the offending student. In addition, principals and site administrators have added discretion to enforce “other consequences” for students who violate the policy for a second and/or third time.

The dress code policy is included in the Student Handbook, which every student receives at the beginning of the school year. The superintendent and school board urge all parents and students to carefully read the handbook, which also includes information about attendance, student rights and responsibilities, transportation, and safety, among other things. The handbook, as well as examples of dress code violations [see examples, right], can be viewed on the school district website: http://www.sdhc.k12.fl.us.

The sales tax holiday affects the following items:

• Clothing and related items with a sale price of $50 or less

• Books with a sale price of $50 or less

• School supplies with a sale price of $10 or less

For additional information about the sales tax holiday, visit the Florida Department of Revenue website: http://sun6.dms.state.fl.us/dor/taxes/tax_holiday.html. Information is also available on the Florida Department of Education website: http://www.fldoe.org.